Persona - Mask of Origins

Yuki pulled Toji away from his research and took him to her room.

 

In the silence, Ari sat on Zain's lap, her head tucked under his chin as she ate. In an almost possessive manner, Zain wrapped his arms around her. Nicholi smiled and chose to ignore them.

 

Yuki came back downstairs a couple of hours later, fixing her disheveled hair.

 

Zain glanced up at Yuki and made a face, "Gross, couldn't you wait until I'd left the house or something?" Nicholi stared at the tv, even though it was only a paid advertising, "Women have needs too, Zain. Don't underestimate the female body." Zain opened his mouth to make a comment and Ari closed it for him, "To yourself."

 

Yuki drank a glass of water and sat down.

"I'll try to control my urges next time. I couldn't help myself though."

 

Zain huffed as Ari stood and made him a sandwhich.

 

Yuki started leafing though Toji's research.

"I didn't know Toji was researching this stuff. He's been looking for a way to give emotions to people that have none, as well as help them develop an identity for themselves."

 

Ari flinched as if she'd been slapped and Zain was by her side, "Why would Toji he looking into that? Who doesn't have emotions?" Callen and Nicholi grumbled to themselves, "I might've mentioned to him that Ari and I don't have actual emotions. Anything we seem to feel is practiced and fake." Callen dragged his hand through his hair. "I shouldn't have involved you all in our family issues..."

 

"I guess Toji wanted to make both of you seem more human."

 

Nicholi scoffed, "And if I don't want to be human?" his voice was challenging Yuki and Ari quietly objected from her place in Zain's arms, "Ari wants to be human..." Zain nuzzled her affectionately, "You do? That's great! C'mon, Nicholi, can't you help Toji out? He's your friend isn't he?" Nicholi glared at them. "A shadow weapon has no friends."

 

"Just do it. It's not like you have anything better to do."

 

"No. I'd rather see trial and error time after time from him and let shadows die because of it than aid in the creation of something that would limit me and Ari's capabilities."

 

"You need help with your experiment, right? If you help him, he'd help you."

 

Nicholi was stubborn and persisted, "No...I don't need help! I will not see Ari with a foolish, emotional heart and ruin herself the way our mother did! I won't stand by and help give Ari something the Doctor worked so hard to eliminate from us." Anger, an odd emotion he felt, surged and he slammed the door on his way out. Zero jumped up, startled out of his sleep, "Nick?! What...?" "Yuki...I think you offended him. I'll, uh, go talk to him." Zain trailed after Nicholi.

 

Yuki just shrugged and sighed.

 

Zain caught up to Nicholi and walked with him. Stopping at a graveyard. "You really think Ari and yourself are better off without hearts?" "With all my being I do. Zain...you of all people should know what I mean. Your heart originally took you away from Yuki. Don't you think she was sad when you died? Would you wish that same pain on Ari and myself when someone dies?" Zain couldn't answer.

 

Yuki waited for Zain to return.

 

Zain stood with Nicholi for hours. "We should go back. Are you calmer now?" Nicholi nodded, "I...I will help Toji with his experiment. For Ari. I will teach her not to be foolish. And I will perfect my mother." They returned home and Nicholi repeated his words to Yuki.

 

Yuki nodded as Toji came downstairs.

"We should start immediately."

 

Zain glanced up at him, "Damn, do you just listen for mentioning of you?" Nicholi lowered his eyes and nodded. He motioned to the door, "I think contaminating research like this here wouldn't be wise. Perhaps at your home?"